Page 14 — THE CONWAY DAILY SUN, Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Fryeburg Academy softball team capped a perfect 20-0 season in style Saturday by winnign its third state title in the past four years, beating Bucksport 5-2.
(RACHEL ANDREWS DAMON PHOTO)
Fryeburg wins its third state championship in four years; Raiders swagger their way past Bucksport 5-2 BY CHARLIE TRYDER THE CONWAY DAILY SUN
FRYEBURG — On Saturday in Standish, playing in their fourth consecutive state championship game, the Fryeburg Academy softball team suffered some opening inning jitters; but the Raiders settled nicely, jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, survived a shaky third inning, and finished with a 5-2 win over Bucksport to claim their third state championship in four years. Sarah Harriman, who struggled to control her nervousness, lacked control early and walked the leadoff batter on four pitches. After being sacrificed to second on a bunt, the Bucksport leadoff hitter attempted to steal third, but catcher Carla Tripp cut her down with a throw to shortstop Michelle Rascoe. “She did an amazing job of getting it,” Tripp said, “because I didn´t think it was that great a throw.” Bucksport coach Mike Currier likely thought this would be an opportunity to steal a run by getting the
runner to third with one out and hoping for a sacrifice fly or passed ball, but in this situation, patience would have served the Bucks better. After Tripp threw out the leadoff hitter at third for the second out, the bases were emptied. An error, another walk, and an infield hit loaded the bases. Instead of scoring a run with one out and the bases loaded, the Bucks had the bases loaded with no runs and two outs. Harriman got out of the jam without harm by inducing a ground ball to third baseman Maggie McConkey for the third out. In the bottom of the first inning, the Raiders showed no nerves at the plate. Once again, their bats exploded early to take another early lead. Tripp served as catalyst yet again by beating out a bunt on the first pitch of the inning. Moments later Maddie “the Whammer” Pearson tripled over the centerfielder’s head to the wall to score Tripp. A wild pitch then brought Pearson home to make it 2-0. Maggie McConkey was hit by a pitch,
stole second base, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Charlotte Lewis drew a walk, and when she stole second, the Bucksport catcher’s throw sailed into centerfield and McConkey scored easily for the 3-0 first inning lead. Although the Raiders escaped a shaky first inning, the Golden Bucks capitalized in the third inning. Mindy Pye led off with a double down the left-field line. Harriman then walked a batter, and an infield hit plated the first Bucksport run of the day. However, on the play, catcher Tripp made an alert and athletic play that minimized the damages. After the throw to the plate failed to get the Bucksport runner who scored, Tripp, knocked over on the play, threw to McConkey at third from a sitting position to get the runner trying to advance from first to third. “I wasn´t really expecting it,” said McConkey. “I saw the runners going and I was about to holler see RAIDERS page 19